BILL REQ. #:  H-3519.1 

Prefiled 1/5/2006. Read first time 01/09/2006.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to quality management systems in school districts; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that citizens demand and deserve accountability of all public programs and activities, including public education. Legislation enacted in 2005 required all state agencies to implement a quality management, accountability, and performance system to improve public services. School districts should likewise be expected to demonstrate to the public through quantifiable and measurable means that they are improving their performance, implementing sound management practices, and achieving greater accountability in the use of the public tax dollars that are entrusted to them.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW under the subchapter heading "program evaluation" to read as follows:
     (1) Each school district shall, within available funds, develop and implement a quality management, accountability, and performance system to improve the educational and support services it provides.
     (2) Each board of directors shall ensure that district and school administrators, teachers, and staff at all levels are engaged in the system and shall provide the training necessary for successful implementation.
     (3) Each school district shall, within available funds, ensure that its quality management, accountability, and performance system:
     (a) Uses strategic planning to establish goals, objectives, and activities consistent with the fundamental mission of public schools;
     (b) Engages parents and community members in establishing and improving service delivery systems;
     (c) Includes clear, relevant, and easy-to-understand measures for each activity;
     (d) Gathers, monitors, and analyzes activity data;
     (e) Uses the data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, educational services, and support services and to improve efficiency and reduce costs;
     (f) Establishes performance goals and expectations for employees that reflect the district's objectives and provides for regular assessments of employee performance;
     (g) Where performance is not meeting intended objectives, holds regular problem-solving sessions to develop and implement a plan for addressing gaps; and
     (h) Allocates resources based on strategies to improve performance.
     (4) A school district quality management, accountability, and performance system shall include but is not limited to the following quality indicators:
     (a) Student scores on the Washington assessment of student learning;
     (b) High school completion and dropout rates;
     (c) Employment and wage rates for high school graduates for three years after graduation; and
     (d) Participation in postsecondary education for high school graduates for three years after graduation.
     (5) Each school district shall conduct a yearly assessment of its quality management, accountability, and performance system.
     (6) Each school district shall report annually to the office of the superintendent of public instruction on the quality indicators under subsection (4) of this section. The reports shall be included on the school district's and the superintendent's web sites.
     (7) Starting no later than 2009, and at least once every three years thereafter, each school district shall apply to the Washington quality award council under RCW 43.06.335 for an independent assessment of its quality management, accountability, and performance system. The purpose of the assessment is to recognize best practices and identify improvement opportunities.